CAMBRIDGE TWP. — In the coming days, the traffic signal at the intersection of M-50 and U.S. 12 will become an active, red-amber-green signal 24 hours a day instead of switching to blinker status between midnight and 6 a.m.

Cambridge Township Police Chief Larry Wibbeler said a fatal crash Sept. 15 at the trunkline intersection was the catalyst to lobby the Michigan Department of Transportation for the change, as well as adding lighted signs warning drivers of a signal ahead.

Amanda Kerry Mullins, 20, of Britton and her 21-year-old passenger, Andrew Ray Bailey of Clinton, were killed Sept. 15 when their sport utility vehicle crashed into the side of a semitrailer at U.S. 12 and M-50 and caught fire. Mullins was southbound on M-50 and drove through a blinking red light, Wibbeler said. The semi was westbound on U.S. 12 when the crash took place at 2:08 a.m.

The driver of the semi, John Edward West, 59, of Butler, Ind., and his passenger were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Wibbeler said the investigation in that and other crashes — along with examining the intersection and its layout and nighttime law enforcement data through his department — prompted him to contact MDOT’s traffic safety engineers in Lansing and Jackson.

“I made two requests. One was to change the signal timing to regular 24/7,” Wibbeler said. “The other was to install a better signal ahead sign, especially for southbound M-50 traffic.”

Wibbeler said the Oct. 2 response from the state was prompt, and that the signal timing is scheduled to be changed to a red and green cycle 24 hours a day as early as this weekend.

“I appreciated their quick response and assistance on looking into that dangerous situation,” he said, adding MDOT is expected to look into installing the signs as soon as it is feasible.

Wibbeler said his department will be increasing patrols at the intersection to enforce the higher level of safety expectations there.

“There will be no such thing as a warning, especially after midnight,” Wibbeler said.

Telephone messages left for MDOT officials Tuesday were not immediately returned.